Not quite one’s best effort Crossword Clue

We have the 5-letter answer for Not quite one’s best effort crossword clue, last seen in the WSJ Crossword March 9, 2026 puzzle. This answer will help you finish the puzzle you’re working on.

Not quite one’s best effort Crossword Answer

↓50.

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Helpful Hints

Hint 1: Clue Definitions

EFFORT (noun)
1. earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
2. use of physical or mental energy; hard work
BEST (noun)
1. Canadian physiologist (born in the United States) who assisted F. G. Banting in research leading to the discovery of insulin (1899-1978)
2. the person who is most outstanding or excellent; someone who tops all others
BEST (adjective)
1. (comparative and superlative of `well’) wiser or more advantageous and hence advisable
2. (superlative of `good’) having the most positive qualities
BEST (adverb)
1. from a position of superiority or authority
BEST (verb)
1. get the better of

Hint 2: Anagram

Unscramble the letters below to solve for today's answer.
GAMBE

More WSJ Crossword (3/9/2026) Answers

Across

1. They might be strung on a necklace

6. Spheres

10. Really impresses

14. “Silas Marner” author George

15. Maya Angelou or Langston Hughes, e.g.

16. Jacob's twin in Genesis

17. Any of 119 on a U.S. quarter’s edge

18. Brand for beagles

19. Different

20. Greek letter that looks like H

21. *Invalid, as a contract

24. Muscle-to-bone connectors

26. Hatcher of Desperate Housewives

27. "I Love Lucy" co-star Arnaz

28. Indirect, as a look

32. Big part of a lobster

34. Tool for a manicure

36. Ed of “Elf” and “Up”

37. Poke fun at

38. Roget offering, or the last word vis-à-vis the first word of each starred answer

40. Ram's mate

41. Negro Leagues great Buck in the Baseball Hall of Fame

43. Org. with “End Speciesism” T-shirts

44. Like some snack bars

45. Lab entrances?

47. Goldie of “Foul Play”

49. Island south of Borneo

50. Yawn cause

53. *Hearty energy

57. Tribute verse

58. Surrounded by

59. Sweeping story

60. Dance's de Mille

62. Warbled

63. Molecule part

64. Hollers

65. Young 'un

66. Now where __ we?

67. In a crafty manner

All Answers

Down

1. Flattish cloth cap

2. Select group

3. *Be an accessory, perhaps

4. Shih Tzu or Shar-Pei

5. Courtroom transcribers, for short

6. Milky gems

7. Sushi piece

8. "Don't rush me!"

9. High, in a way

10. Destructive beetles

11. Norway's capital

12. “What ___ thinking?”

13. Took to court

22. Bring together

23. Lofty ambition

25. Morning moisture

28. Fruits used for flavoring gin

29. *Ideal partner in life

30. Small salamander

31. Earl __ tea

32. Farm yield

33. Script snippet

35. Secretly

38. Ashcan School painter John French ___

39. Enthusiastic exclamation

42. Security pass with a photo

44. Have debts

46. “Haste makes waste,” e.g.

48. Orderly formations

51. NFL wide receiver ___ Beckham Jr.

52. Like a teen’s room, often

53. Expansive

54. "If __ be so bold..."

55. Weasel's cousin

56. Composer Stravinsky

61. Hairstylist's goo

All Answers